Combination lock



y 6, 1952 M. E. JULLIARD 2,595,267

' COMBINATION LOCK Filed March 6, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet l arwyw y 6, 1952M. E. JULLIARD 2,595,267

Filed March 6, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mar/a? ans/ma JflzL/az y 6, 1952 IM. E. JULLIARD 2,595,267

COMBINATION LOCK Filed March 6, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A 55 O Maw/(5 77MO Juan/9R0 9 e9 49 1 %WW May 6, 1952 M. E. JULLIARD COMBINATION LOCK 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 6, 1946 Patented May 6, 1952 ApplicationMarch 6, 1946, Serial No. 652,308: In France November: 23, .1943'Section 1, Public Law 690', A11gust 8,1946 Patent expires November '23,1963 8 Claims.

1 In French Patent Ser. No. 830,327 a combination lock is described(especially applicable'as a door-lock for vehicles) which is operated"by means of a key carrying a plurality of pins which are individuallyadjustable as to their heights and which, when introduced into bores orguide sleeves in the lock, will cause slots or notches provided at theends of tumblers slidably. received in said guide-sleeves to come intoalignment; suchalignment first allowing'the swivelling ofa fence toactuate the lock bolt.

The present invention has for its objectimprovements in locks of thistype for the purpose of extendiri its application to piecesof'furniture,.

doors, etc.

According to a first feature of the invention the slots or notches areprovided at theperipheries of combination cams of discs which areactuated by the tumblers through the medium either of links or racks orgear wheels.

The slots or notchesare variously located at the peripheries of theseveral combination discsand in such manner that the slots or notches inthe various discs will be brought into alignment with one another byunequal displacements of the related tumblers, the height of theprojecting portion of each pin being proportional to. the travel of thecorresponding tumbler.

In. one particular embodiment a swingable fence is adapted to engage theslots or notches in" the combination discs after the samehave beenbrought into alignment, said fence subsequently causing a latch to rockclear of thelock bolt.

The lock in the unlatched condition can be rotated to the extent of adefinite angl'eior. the.

actuation of the bolt either'by means of' a fork or preferably by meansof gear wheels,.in which case' the teeth are brought into engagementupon a slight axial displacement of the lockasa. unit.

Ina. modified embodiment the locleunlatching means may consist of afixedfence whereby a definite inward movement of the lock isonly possiblewhen the alignment of theslotsin the combination discs is obtained, saidinward movement resulting inthe engagement of theteethfor the actuationof the bolt (spur wheel andring, or rack-and-pinion, or equivalentarrangement).

The members (links or racks'depending on the design) which provide forthe'connection between the tumblers and the combination discs can bemade to act upon members angularly adjustable with respect to said discsinstead of directly actuating the latter or gear wheels rigid therewith,

2 which makes it possible to alter: the combination: of'eacli disc:

In one particular embodimenuthe connecting) spider whose spring armsarepressed'against the combination disc to which movement is imparted bythe engagement of'projections'on said arms into depressions or note-hesin thedisc.

The casing in which the barrel, the tumblers and the combination discsare housed and which: can be moved inwardly to'set the bolt-actuatingteeth: into engagement can be latched in either its protracted or itsretracted position with the aidof a latch projecting through either holeof a pair drilled in the casing, so that the lock can be madeinoperableeven by somebody possessing the right key, while the latching in theprotracted position allows the combination to bealtered at will byadapting the position of the notches in the" discsto'theadjustableefiective height of thepins' on thekey.

Theback'drum of the lock which provides thebolt-actuating pinion can beoperated from the insideby means of a' knob;

Thel'o'ck is provided at the outer'side'thereof' with a keeper platehaving a pair of notches cut, therein" which, in combination with apairof shoulders; on the-key; body, provide a bayonet coupling by whichthe'key isretained onceit has been engaged; whichrelievestheuserfromthe:

necessity, ofmaintaining his'pressure for'theoperationof' the lock.

Further details-of the invention will be more? specificallypointed outin the following description taken in connection with the appendeddrawing in which several. embodiments of vvthis invention areillustrated, formerely'indicativepurpose, as follows:

Figure 1 shows a fundamental-form ofthe'lock and the lock can be movedinwardly as a whole; I

Figure 5 is a perspective view of-' an improved embodimentproceedingfrom the one just men tioned Figure 6 is a detail view showingthe connection of the links;

Figure 7 illustrates another modification in sectional view taken online VIIVII in Fig. 8;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line VIII- VIII in Fig. '7

Figure 9 illustrates an angularly adjustable connection between thetumblers and the combination discs;

Figure 10 illustrates the lock with removed cap and bolt;

Figure 11 shows the bolt-actuating drum.

The key l carries in known manner pins 2 whose effective heights can beadjusted by means of screws 3 having knurled heads 5 which may bemanipulated in slots which are cut in key I and in which said heads arereceived, a catchlike action thus being obtained by the pressure ofsprings B.

On the other hand, set in a rotatably mounted lock plate 9 are guidingsleeves 8 in which tumblers I are slidably received which are urged bysprings [3 and are adapted to actuate combination discs H) which areprovided with notches H3 at various locations of their-peripheries.

The tumblers I may be connected with said discs is by means of racks Hintegral with said tumblers and co-operating with pinions l2 fixed todiscs H) (Figs. 1 and 2).

Such connection could also be attained by links 6| (Figs. 4 to 6)pivoted both to tumblers I and to discs [0, or by any other suitableconnecting means.

It will be appreciated that by shifting the tumblers 1 a suitabledistance with the aid of pins 2 whose effective heights are accordinglyadjusted, it is possible to bring the gates or notches l4 i ntoalignment.

In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 3 a U- shaped fence i5, mounted forswinging motion about the axis it carried in a frame l operativelyconnected with plate 9, is enabled, once said alignment is obtained, toengage into the notches M in response to the action of a spring H. Inthe course of such movement the fence, through the medium of a dog 18,becomes operative upon a latch l9, biased by a spring .29 and swingableabout axis it, to disengage said latch from the slot in bolt 2! in whichit has been engaged hitherto, which releases the bolt 2| that henceforthcan be actuated by any suitable means, e. g. (Fig. 3) by the rotation ofplate 9 which will shift said bolt 2| through the medium of a fork 24(which limits the stroke of the bolt) or of the spur wheel 62 and thespur ring 63 as in the case of the example shown in Fig. 4, or of apinion 35 and a rack 36 similarly to the arrangement provided in theexamples shown in Figs. and q.-

A push button 22 operable from the outside and acting upon a leg 23(Fig. 1) of latch I9 allows disengagement of the fence I5 from thenotches i4 and to latch the look again, e. g. when going out, withoutusing the key (since the springs I3 will bring back the plungers l totheir released positions and throw the notches l4 out of alignment).

In the modification shown quite diagrammatically in Fig. 4 the fence '5is stationary while the aggregate consisting of plate 9, the guidingsleeves 8, the tumblers T and the discs ID (with which they areconnectedby rod links 5 l which as a whole is enclosed in a casing or asimple housing 42, can be shifted longitudinally to the tent of somemillimeters and protracted in the direction shown by the arrow Fprovided the notches H! are aligned and will thus allow the fence 15 toengage therewith. Such shifting will bring the pinion 62 into engagementwith the spur ring 63 (or the rack 36 as in the example shown in Fig. 5)so that the bolt can be actuated. A spring 46 will retract the wholestructure to its starting position.

In the improved embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which is based uponthe above principle, the connecting links iii are pivoted at one endthereof to a hub 64 (Fig. 6) instead of directly to the (twin-jaw)discs, which are tightly fitted on said hub, the latter allowingadjustment at will of the discs 10 angularly for the purpose of changingthe combination. All the hubs 64 are threaded on one and the same shaft26 rotatably mounted at the ends thereof in casing E2.

The fence I5 which is fixed in the direction of movement of the tumblers7 is carried by the rear rotatable drum 32 which forms a pinion 35designed to engage with the teeth 36 of a rack formed on the bolt 2!.

The casing 42 itself, which is centrally guided in drum 32, has notches29 and can be shifted for a few millimeters while the notches M in thediscs are engaged by fence [5.

Interposed between drum 32 and a collar A? on shiftable casing 42 is areturn coil spring 46 which permanently tends to shift the casing andthe parts carried by it clear of fence i5, as shown by the arrow F. Saidcasing can be arrested in either position by means of a latch 61 whichwill be held by collar 41, said latch being operable from the outside ofsaid casing by appropriate means such as lever 61'.

By making the casing 42 (for instance during night time) immovable inits retracted position (clear of the fence l5) the block becomesinoperable even by somebody possessing the right key, while followingthe latching of casing 12 in its position of engagement on the fence (asshown in Fig. 5) it will be possible, with the locked discs, to changethe combination by angularly adjusting the hub 64 with respect to thediscs I0, by altering the effective heights of the pins 2 of the key. Ifnecessary for the purpose of the said adjustment, the tumblers can beoutwardly pushed by means of a smaller spindle threaded into a hole Itapped in each tumbler l. During such an adjustment the discs in willskid on their respective hubs.

The drum 32 acting as pinion 35 can at all times be operated from theinside with the aid of a knob 60.

Finally, a plate keeper 44 formed with a pair of slots 5| willpreferably be secured in front of the lock to retain the key I once thesame has been inserted for unlocking purposes, said key being formedwith shoulders 52 in the fashion of a bayonet coupling. The key thuswill not be pushed back (direction F) by the action of spring 45 if theuser should fail to go on pushing the key in the direction F.

In the improved embodiment shown in Figs. '7 to 11 a barrel 9 isprovided in which tumblers 7 are returned to their positions of rest bysprings l3 accommodated in the hollows of the tumblers I which areformed at their sides with racks ll (Fig. 9) projecting through a slot38 and cut lengthwise of a generatrix of guiding sleeves 8 into a recess3! (Fig. 8) provided in the barrel 9. Y

Each pinion is coupled with a corresponding disc I 0 (freely mounted onthe common shaft 26) whereby the discs H3; (and the notches l4'there-.

in) can be adjustedangularly as desired.-

By suitably rotating-the discs Hi the notches l4 therein are-broughtinto alignmentwith one another and with a groove 29 (Fig. 8) provided inbarrel 9,- which groove is engageable by atongue 34. for'thea'ctuationof -bolt 2-1.

An additional groove- 29' and an additional tongue-34 are provided (Fig.8) in order to im-' prove the connection.

Drum 3-2 is rotatably-mounted-in the housing 38 f the lock. and thehandle or theiknob necessary for the operation of the look from withina' room is secured on a central projection 39 of said drum. n

The bolt 2! and the barrel 9 are housed in the lock casing 45. Asregards this barrel, the same is rigidly connected by a screw 23 (Fig.'7) with the casing 42 which in turn is arranged in a housing 44provided at the front side thereof with an aperture 45 for theaccommodation of the key,

said aperture being slottedat 5| as alreadypointed out.

This lock operates similarly to'the one lastdescribed (Figs. 5 and 8).

The barrel 9 with its casing 42 can be shifted in the direction of thearrow F (Fig. 8) as a result of sufiicient thrust being exerted thereonwith the key insertedthrough the aperture 45 in housing 44 to overcomethe resistance of spring 46. However, such a protraction of the barrelis only possible when the grooves 29, 29 therein register with thetongues 34, 34 on drum 32 and when the notches M in discs in allregister with groove 29.

By this shifting motion the barrel 9 is rigidly coupled with the backdrum 32 and any rotation of the barrel with result in a rotation of theback drum 32 and through it of pinion for actuating the bolt 2|.

The key can only be inserted through the aperture in the housing 44 inthe diametrical plane through the slots 5!, which plane corresponds tothe plane of alignment of tumblers I. From the very beginning of therotation the shoulders 52 on the key engage behind the circular Wall ofthe housing 44, whereby the key I is retained from being ejected by thethrust of spring 46. The user is thus enabled to operate the key withoutbeing compelled to exert any further pressure.

As soon as the key, after a revolution, is again in registry with theslots 51 the key is ejected from the opening 45.

The lock bolt 2| can be actuated at any time with the aid of a knob 40or a handle or another equivalent member without the barrel 9 beingoperated, provided that no key pins are inserted in the lock.

With a key inserted in the lock the latter can be operated just aseasily, except that the key I will be pushed out as soon as it comesinto alignment with the tumblers 7.

In order to bring about registry between the tongues 34, 35 on the backdrum and the grooves 29, 29 in the barrel, the back drum 32 is providedat its periphery with a pair of notches 53 (Fig. 11) into which a catch54 (Fig. 10) can enter which is carried by a spring strip 55 secured tothe lock casing ll. The two .positions of tongues 34, 3 3 which areangularly spaced by 180 from each other, are thus marked by the catch 54acting as a stop.

Ifthebolt 2-! is to serve both as a dead bolt and a spring bolt, aspring 5t-must thenbe arranged in the casing 41. to-act, upon thebevel-headed bolt. r

Astop El can besecured in the case for limiting thetravel of the springwhen the bolt becomes.

a .dead bolt. p n

Thelock thus described affords complete safety in operation and iswhollypick-proof although its adjustmentisan extremely simple one.

A look designedas described above can beused just as well in houses asonautomobiles or trunks or forother purposes. t can also beappliedwherever, movable parts are to be locked.

It will be readily appreciated. that this invention admits ofmanifoldembodiments and that alterations can be made in details of theabovedescribed arrangement without thereby departing from the spirit ofthisinvention.

1. In a combination lock] operable by means of a key carrying apluralityof pins of different lengths; a lock casing, a bolt guided insaid'casing for movement in two opposite directions, a frame rotatablymounted in said casing about an axis at rightangles to the direction ofmovement of said bolt and provided'with a plurality of bores inWhichsaid key pins are adapted. to be inserted, a springjactuatedtumbler in eachof said bores ,and adapted to be inovedagainst the actionof locking discs corresponding to the number of tumblers and rotatablymounted in said frame, each disc being provided with a notch, meansconnecting each of said tumblers with a corresponding disc whereby saiddiscs may be rotated to bring the notches thereof in alignment with oneanother upon movement or" said tumblers by said key pins into saidbores, a fence rotatable about said axis at right angles to thedirection of movement of the bolt and adapted to be engaged in saidnotches when the same have been brought into alignment position uponintroduction of said pins into said bores, whereby said frame, tumblers,locking discs and fence form then a rotatable unit, and cooperatingmeans on said fence and on said bolt and adapted to move said bolt whensaid unit is rotated by said key.

2. In a combination lock operable by means of a key carrying a pluralityof pins of difierent lengths; a lock casing, a bolt guided in saidcasing for movement in two opposite directions, a frame rotatablymounted in said casing about an axis at right angles to the direction ofmovement of said bolt and provided with a plurality of bores in whichsaid key pins are adapted to be inserted, said frame being slidablyguided in said casing in the direction of its axis of rotation, springmeans adapted to urge said frame towards the exterior of said casing, aspring pressed tumbler in each of said bores and adapted to be movedtowards the interior of the casing when said key pins are introducedinto said bores, parallelly disposed locking discs rotatably mounted insaid frame, each disc being provided with a notch on its periphery,means connecting each of said tumblers with a corresponding disc andadapted to rotate said discs and to bring said notches of all the .discsin alignment when said tumblers are moved by the key pins uponintroduction thereof into said bores, a fence rotatably mounted aboutsaid axis at right angles to the direction of the movement of the boltand adapted to be engaged in said notches when the same have beenbrought into alignment upon introduction of said pins into said boresand when said frame has been moved in the direction of said axis ofrotation against the action of said spring means, whereby said frame,tumblers, locking discs and fence form then'f-a rotatable assembly, andmeans operatively connected with said fence and with said bolt-'andadapted to cooperate when said frame has been moved inwards so as tomove said bolt when-said assembly is rotated by said key.

3. A combination lock according to claim 2, in which said frame isprovided with at least one recess adapted to engage said fence when saidframe is moved inwards.

4. A combination lock according to claim 2, including an operatingmember provided on the exterior of the casing and on the side oppositeto that of said bores and operatively connected with said fence in orderto move the bolt iridependently of said frame.

5. A combination lock according to claim 2, including a latch memberoperable from the exterior of said casing and adapted to cooperate withsaid frame in order to maintain said frame in any one of its two extremepositions inthe direction of said axis of rotation. I

6. A combination lock according to claim 2, in which said casing isprovided at a slight distance from the bores in said frame with a wallhaving a circular aperture concentric with said axis of rotation, andtwo diametrically opposite notches for the passage of the key providedin the inner periphery of said aperture.

7. A combination lock according to claim 1, in which said meansconnecting a tumbler with a disc comprises a hub on which said disc isadapted to be frictionally engaged in different angular positions, and aconnecting rod pivoted at one end to said tumbler and at the other endto said hub.

8. A combination lock according to claim 1, in which said meansconnecting a tumbler with a disc comprises a shaft on which said disc isfreely rotatable, a pinion secured on said shaft, means between saidpinion and said disc adapted to connect said pinion and disc indifierent angular relative positions, and a rack operatively connectedwith said tumbler and meshing with said pinion.

MAURICE ETIENNE JULLIARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 17,740 Isham July '7, 1857669,045 Hopkins Feb. 26, 1901 1,366,161 Clark Jan. 18, 1921 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 251,106 Great Britain Apr. 29, 1926

